Cherry Blossoms in D.C. #7 (Part 1 of 2)

Welcome to the 2018 Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in D.C.

We attended the event and enjoyed the many floats, marching bands, balloons, princesses and other participants.  

The day was perfect for a parade--sunny and warm.  It was as if someone had flipped a switch, turning of the cold Winter weather and turning on Spring.   

The parade started off with various honor guards, including the armed services and the National Park Service.  Below are some photos, including one with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke riding a horse (the dude in the white shirt).

The Old Guard wearing George Washington-era uniforms.  (From the 3rd U.S. Infantry Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.)

By the way, the soldiers pictured above know how to march in perfect unison.

The parade included many marching bands from all over the U.S., including some that also perform in the Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC and the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena.  The marching bands were joined by baton twirlers, flag corps and dancers.  

Colorful, patriotic uniforms.

The Limitless Dancing Warriorettes from Maryland were crowd pleasers.  They danced down Constitution Avenue with energy, style and grace.

This band wore great uniforms, especially the helmets. 

The floats in the parade were beautiful.  Here are a few.

The float below represents the National Park Service and many of the D.C. monuments they maintain and protect.

The same drum and dance troupe from Japan that we saw at the National Gallery of Art also appeared in the parade, see below.   

Next Up:  More parade!